ACTIVITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES
CONCERNING SELECTED HIGH
VOLUME CHEMICALS
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Office of Toxic Substances
Washington, D.C. 20460
FEBRUARY 1975
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EPA - 560/4-75-001
ACTIVITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES
CONCERNING SELECTED HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
Office of Toxic Substances
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
February 1975
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PREFACE
This Report summarizes the nature and extent of many of the re-
search and regulatory activities of the Environmental Protection Agency
and other Federal Agencies directed towards fifty high volume chemi-
cals. The Report is intended to assist those persons and organizations
interested in anticipating and avoiding future incidents involving major
chemicals.
This Report was stimulated, in part, by the recent activities con-
cerning vinyl chloride and polyvinyl chloride, which are among the lead-
ing products of the chemical and plastics industries. The incidence of
a rare cancer, angiosarcoma of the liver, in polyvinyl chloride polymer-
ization workers led to an intensive investigation of the effects of exposure
to vinyl chloride. Specifically, in February 1974, the Administrator
established the Vinyl Chloride Task Force to examine all aspects of
vinyl chloride released to the environment. The Task Force Report,
Preliminary Assessment of the Environmental Problems Associated with
Vinyl Chloride and Polyvinyl Chloride, outlines the extent of the problem
and recommends a series of research and regulatory actions. This
experience has underscored the need for greater attention to the high
volume chemicals --to assess more fully potential hazards and to take
appropriate preventive measures at the earliest possible time.
The chemicals considered in this Report were identified in the
May 1974, issue of Chemical and Engineering News, with an indication
of 1973 production levels, and are presented on page ii of this Report.
Production level is only one of several factors which must be considered
in determining the environmental significance of a chemical, and there
is no intention to imply that the chemicals considered in this Report
represent the highest priority chemicals from the environmental point
of view.
The Report is divided into summaries of the activities of the En-
vironmental Protection Agency and those of other Federal Agencies.
Subsequent charts and Appendices present in more detail the various
research and regulatory activities directed to the fifty high volume chem-
cals. This description of Federal activities is undoubtedly not complete,
although most important activities are believed to be included. Finally,
the Appendices include a brief section on selected high volume plastics
and additional tables.
The Office of Toxic Substances prepared the Report, using contri-
butions from many specialists within the Environmental Protection Agen-
cy and other Federal Agencies.
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SELECTED HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
(1973 Production in Billions of Pounds)
1 Sulfuric acid 63.18
2 Oxygen, high and low purity 31.87
3 Ammonia, synthetic anhydrous 30.94
4 Ethylene 22.41
5 Sodium hydroxide, 100% liquid 21.36
6 Chlorine, gas 20.60
7 Nitrogen, high and low purity 16.38
8 Sodium carbonate, synthetic and natural 14.99
9 Nitric acid 14.86
10 Ammonium nitrate, original solution 13.89
11 Phosphoric acid, total 13.00
12 Benzene, all grades 10.65
13 Propylene 8.76
14 Ethylene dichloride 7.90
15 Urea, primary solution 7.12
16 Methanol, synthetic 7.12
17 Toluene, all grades 6.78
18 Ethylbenzene . 6.50*
19 Formaldehyde, 37% 6.17
20 Styrene 6.01
21 Xylene, all grades 5.90
22 Vinyl chloride 5.35
23 Hydrochloric acid, total 4.78
24 Ammonium sulfate 3.97
25 Ethylene oxide 3.88
26 Butadiene (1,3-), rubber grade 3.66
27 Carbon black 3.50
28 Ethylene glycol 3.29
29 Sodium sulfate, high and low purity 2.85
30 Carbon dioxide, all forms 2.77
31 Dimethyl terephthalate 2.69*
32 Cumene 2.67
33 Terephthalic acid 2.49*
34 Acetic acid 2.42
35 Calcium chloride, solid and liquid 2.40*
36 Cyclohexane 2.35
37 p-Xylene 2.32
38 Aluminum sulfate, commercial 2. 27
39 Phenol, total 2.25
40 Acetone 1.99
41 Ethanol, synthetic 1.97*
42 Sodium tripolyphosphate 1.83
43 Isopropanol 1.76
44 Propylene oxide 1.75
45 Acetic anhydride 1.55
46 Titanium dioxide 1.54
47 Vinyl acetate 1.48
48 Sodium silicate (water glass) 1.46
49 Acetaldehyde 1.40*
50 Acrylonitrile 1.35
^Estimate. Reprinted with permission from Chemical and Engineering News
(Vol. 523 No. 18, p. 113 5/6/74). Copyright by the American Chemical
Society.
ii
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE i
SELECTED HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS ii
ACTIVITIES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY 1
Office of Water and Hazardous Materials 1
Water Pollution 1
Effluent Limitations 1
Spills 1
Drinking Water 2
Ocean Disposal 2
Toxic Substances 2
Pesticide Programs 3
Office of Air and Waste Management 3
Air Pollution 3
Solid Waste Management 4
Office of Research and Development 5
Ecological Effects 5
Health Effects 6
Environmental Engineering 6
Monitoring 7
Office of Enforcement and General Counsel 8
ACTIVITIES OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES 9
Food and Drug Administration 9
Department of Transportation 9
Consumer Product Safety Commission 10
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 10
Occupational Safety and Health Administration 11
National Cancer Institute 11
National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences 12
National Bureau of Standards 12
Center for Disease Control 13
Department of Defense 13
APPENDICES
A. EPA Activities Directed to High Volume Chemicals 15
B. Activities of Other Federal Agencies Directed to
High Volume Chemicals 23
C. Effluent Limitations Guidelines 29
D. High Volume Plastics 31
n i
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ACTIVITIES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL, PROTECTION AGENCY.
Office of Water and Hazardous Materials
Water Pollution
Effluent Limitations
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act requires EPA to set lim-
its on the amount of discharge permitted into navigable waters. Effluent
Limitations Guideline shave been promulgated for thirty industries which
produce or use as a main ingredient one or more of the high volume
chemicals considered in this Report. The industries involving several
of these chemicals are the organic chemical, inorganic chemical, plas-
tics, fertilizer, soap and detergent, rubber, and phosphate industries.
The Guidelines do not establish limits for every chemical that may
appear in the effluent; rather they set parameters for such factors as
pH, total suspended solids (TSS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD),
and chemical oxygen demand (COD). In some cases there are parameters
for specific chemicals as well, especially for heavy metals that may be
discharged. The number of parameters required to be met depends
upon the content of the waste stream and may vary with each effluent
source.
Section 307(a) of the Act provides that EPA shall publish a list
of toxic pollutants for which special effluent standards are required.
The first list, issued on September 7, 1973, designated nine substances
as toxic pollutants; none of the high volume chemicals were included.
It is possible that some of the high volume chemicals may be regulated
under this section in the future although there are no specific plans in
this respect at present.
Spills
Almost one-half of the listed high volume chemicals, twenty-three,
have been proposed for designation as "hazardous substances" pursuant
to Section 311(b) (2) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The
statute prohibits the discharge of a harmful quantity of any designated
substance into or upon the navigable waters of the United States or adjoin-
ing shorelines, or into or upon the waters of the contiguous zone. EPA
plans to implement a program to prevent spills, accidental or delib-
erate, of the designated materials.
The Technical Assistance Data System (TADS) is an information
system developed primarily to provide assistance to Region and Head-
quarters personnel who are responsible for removal or mitigation of
the effects of hazardous substances spills. This information is stored
on computers and microfiche. Technical information on all but fifteen
of the high volume chemicals being considered is included in the TADS
file. The data collected for each chemical incorporate a wide variety
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of information on the physical, chemical, biological, and toxicological
properties of each substance. In collecting the data considerable empha-
sis was placed on the adverse effects of each substance on water quality.
Chronic effects data on all but seventeen of the high volume chemicals
are stored in TADS. These data include chronic toxicity limits in parts
per million for aquatic life, animals, waterfowl, and plants.
Drinking Water
The recently enacted Safe Drinking Water Act authorizes EPA
to promulgate primary and secondary standards for public water sys-
tems. Primary standards will establish limits for contaminants to safe-
guard the public health; secondary standards will apply to the odor,
taste, and appearance of the water.
The National Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations, which
are scheduled to be proposed in March 1975, probably will not include
maximum contaminant levels for any of the individual high volume chem-
icals being considered. However, consideration may be given to includ-
ing some of the high volume chemicals or by-products resulting from
their manufacture, particularly in the organic chemical industry, in the
revised Regulations to be promulgated in 1977.
Ocean Disposal
The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972,
as amended, prohibits the dumping of certain materials into ocean wa-
ters and strictly regulates, through a permit system, the ocean disposal
of other materials. The Act provides the authority for fulfilling U.S.
commitments made at the International Convention on the Prevention
of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter.
These regulations prohibit the dumping of high-level radioactive
wastes; materials produced for radiological, chemical, or biological
warfare; and, except as trace contaminants, organohalogen compounds,
mercury and its compounds, cadmium and its compounds, and various
oils and greases. For example, the disposal of ethylene dichloride and
vinyl chloride, both organohalogen high volume chemicals, would be
prohibited under these regulations.
The permit system authorized by the Act strictly regulates the
dumping of wastes containing other high volume chemicals. Each disposal
permit is granted on a case-by-case basis specifying conditions under
which disposal may take place.
Toxic Substances
The Office of Toxic Substances currently is studying four of the
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high volume chemicals, in addition to its work on vinyl chloride. These
four are benzene, cumene, terephthalic acid, and titanium dioxide. These
efforts are directed towards clarifying whether there are health or envi-
ronmental risks associated with the chemicals, and analyzing the manu-
facture, distribution, use, and disposal patterns of the chemicals.
Pesticide Programs
Although approximately one-half of the high volume chemicals under
consideration have some use in pesticide products, this use represents
only a very small quantity of the total production of these chemicals. *
Twenty-two of the high volume chemicals are used as ingredients in
pesticide products which are registered by EPA. Prior to registration
data must be presented to substantiate a product1 s efficacy, chemical
and toxicological properties, and impact on the environment. Relatively
large quantities of three of the chemicals -- ethylene dichloride, ethyl-
ene oxide, and chlorine --are used as sole components of pesticide pro-
ducts. Nineteen other high volume chemicals are used either in limited
amounts as the sole component of a pesticide product or in mixtures
with other chemicals. In addition a number of high volume chemicals
are used as inert ingredients in pesticide formulations.
Office of Air and Waste Management
Air Pollution
National ambient air quality standards have been set for particu-
late matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, photochemical oxidants,
hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide. While some of the high volume
chemicals may occur as particulates, the particulate standard sets a
limit only on the total amount of particulate matter regardless of its
components.
Over one-half of the high volume chemicals listed are hydrocar-
bons and other organic compounds. However, the national ambient air
quality standard (NAAQS) for hydrocarbons does not specifically regulate
these chemicals. The hydrocarbon standard, which applies to all non-
methane hydrocarbons, was written as a guide to achieving the NAAQS
*In 1972, estimated U.S. production of pesticides was 1.276 billion
pounds; total 1972 production of the top fifty chemicals was approxi-
mately 397 billion pounds. Sources: Production, Distribution, Use and
Environmental Impact Potential gj_ Selected Pesticides, 1974, EPA 540/T^
74-901 (p. 19), and Chemical and Engineering News, May 6, 1974 (vol. 52.
no. 18, p. 11).
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for photochemical oxidants. * In preparing pollutant control strategies
for areas that violate the oxidant standard, the states have concentrated
primarily on controlling the more reactive organic compounds. However,
new evidence showing the importance of the less reactive hydrocarbons
suggests a refinement in the earlier approach that will result in control
of all major sources of nonmethane hydrocarbons. The precise manner
in which organics are controlled varies from state to state. Thus, any
of the organic compounds on the high volume chemical list might fall
under a state air pollution control regulation somewhere, if atmospheric
emissions of that chemical were considered to contribute significantly
to photochemical oxidant formation. But, at this time, none of the or-
ganic compounds on the list are controlled specifically.
Section 111 of the Clean Air Act requires that EPA set emission
standards for new or modified sources which may contribute significantly
to air pollution and endanger public health or welfare. Under this pro-
vision, EPA has promulgated standards for emissions of acid mist and
sulfur oxides from sulfuric acid plants. New source performance stand-
ards have also been established for petroleum storage vessels at oil
fields, refineries, and other distribution points. To assess potential air
pollution impacts, EPA has surveyed the petrochemical industry to iden-
tify and characterize significant sources of hydrocarbons. As a result
of this survey, more in-depth studies are underway on some of the sig-
nificant sources of hydrocarbons. Included in these studies are the
manufacturing processes for carbon black, ethylene dichloride, acrylo-
nitrile, formaldehyde, and ethylene oxide. At this time, EPA plans
to set standards to control hydrocarbons from carbon black plants. An-
other major area being studied for possible standard setting is the field
of organic solvent usage (surface coating, dry cleaning, graphic arts,
degreasing).
EPA is currently developing regulations under Section 112 of the
Clean Air Act to limit vinyl chloride emissions from vinyl chloride mono-
mer plants and polyvinyl chloride plants. Control of vinyl chloride
from ethylene dichloride plants may also be included as a part of the
vinyl chloride program.
Solid Waste Management
The Office of Solid Waste Management Program sis currently study-
ing industrial hazardous waste practices and will examine industries
in thirteen categories. Three of these categories -- inorganic chemi-
cal, organic chemical, and petroleum refining -- include twenty-two of
the high volume chemical industries. Analyses of the wastes generated
^Photochemical oxidants are formed in tine atmosphere from reactions in-
volving hydrocarbons (and other organics) and nitrogen oxides in the
presence of sunlight.
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by each of the industries will be made, especially of those wastes which
are believed to pose a potential health or environmental hazard upon
final disposal. The available treatment and disposal technologies for
the identified wastes will be assessed and cost estimates made for in-
corporating those technologies in existing systems.
In addition, the Office has been conducting analyses of high volume
plastics within the framework of the hazardous wastes practices assess-
ments described above. Other activities directed towards plastics are
contained in Appendix A.
An EPA workgroup has drafted a policy paper relating to indus-
trially generated sludges/residuals with particular attention to process
wastes, hazardous wastes, pollution control residuals, and quantities
of thirty-five toxic chemicals in waste streams. Thirty-three industries
involving manufacture of almost all of the high volume chemicals have
been examined.
Office of Research and Development
The following sections present a number of the relevant EPA re-
search activities in four different program areas: ecological effects,
health effects, environmental engineering, and monitoring.
Ecological Effects
Eight of the high volume chemicals are under study at EPA's lab-
oratory at Duluth, Minnesota, in a program designed to develop infor-
mation on the range of chemical and physical conditions in which aquatic
life can survive. The studies test the acute and chronic toxicity of sev-
eral substances including ammonia, chlorine, formaldehyde, ethylene
glycol, acetone, and acrylonitrile. Other research encompasses the
sublethal, physiological, and reproductive effects of the substances. The
dissolved oxygen requirements of aquatic organisms and the supersatu-
ration effects of nitrogen are also being investigated.
The cycling of some of the substances through the aquatic system,
including degradation, transport, transformation, and accumulation pat-
terns, is being studied at Athens, Georgia. Two other chemicals, carbon
dioxide and sodium tripolyphosphate, have been examined for their eu-
trophication effects in Athens and in Corvallis, Oregon.
The Duluth laboratory is examining sewage effluents treated by
chlorine to determine whether they are toxic to aquatic life. The re-
sults to date indicate that at least in some cases chlorinated sewage
effluent is fairly toxic for some distance below the outfall.
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Health Effects
Sulfuric acid (as sulfuric acid mist) is one of several chemicals
being investigated as an emission from catalytic converters. The pur-
pose of the research is to develop comprehensive, authoritative toxico-
logical data on these substances. Other studies involve the human health
effects of exposure to nitrogen oxides; photochemical oxides; and hydro-
carbons which, when released into the atmosphere in the presence of
oxides of nitrogen and sunlight, lead to the formation of photochemical
oxidants such as ozone and nitrogen dioxide.
Findings released by EPA on November 8, 1974, showed the pre-
sence in the New Orleans drinking water supply of minute quantities
of sixty-six organic chemicals, some of which may be hazardous to
human health. Some of these chemicals are on the high volume list.
In response to these findings EPA is investigating the role of chlorine,
as it is used in treating sewage and drinking water, in the formation of
organic compounds. Another study has been initiated that will analyze
water supplies from representative cities to determine how widespread
the problem may be. Techniques for preventing the chemicals from
reaching the water or for removing them from the community system
are also being investigated.
Environmental Engineering
The production wastes of seventeen of the high volume chemical
industries have been studied; two other high volume industries are sub-
jects of proposed studies. These studies involve development of tech-
niques for the treatment or disposal of wastes, with primary emphasis
on water effluents.
A project, financed jointly by EPA and the State of Louisiana,
will develop techniques to treat biorefractories. Biorefractories are
found in waste waters of chemical and petrochemical industries and can-
not be fully removed by biological means. Some of the refractory indus-
trial wastes found in drinking water whose source is the Mississippi
River include such high volume chemicals as acetone, benzene, ethyl-
benzene, ethylene dichloride, styrene, and toluene. These chemicals
had been discharged by plants located along the Mississippi River. Five
treatment techniques are now being tested to remove these biorefrac-
tories: ozonation, carbon adsorption, solvent extraction, anaerobic/aer-
obic treatment, and air stripping.
Another project, financed jointly by EPA and the Louisiana Chemi-
cal Association, is concerned with developing techniques to eliminate
or, if this is not possible, to decrease significantly waste water effluent
from ammonia production plants.
Through various research activities, a process of exhaustive chlo-
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rination has been developed as a means to convert hazardous toxic
chlorocarbon wastes into useful and marketable commodities. The pro-
cess, sometimes referred to as chlorolysis, has been demonstrated by
Hoechst AG, Frankfurt, Germany, in a project supported by EPA. This
method is appropriate for treatment of the residues produced during the
manufacture of the high volume chemicals ethylene dichloride and vinyl
chloride, both chlorinated hydrocarbons.
Monitoring
A research capability exists for the qualitive detection of all of the
fifty high volume chemicals in water and air at relatively low concentra-
tions. Reference methods have been published for some of these sub-
stances. Those methods applicable to water have been published in
40 CFR 136. The methods, for the most part, have been standardized
for use in surface waters and are now being evaluated for use in indus-
trial and other effluents. Methods for ammonia, chlorine, phenols, and
some chlorinated organic compounds are included.
With regard to reference methods for substances in air, 40 CFR
53 includes reference and equivalent methods for carbon dioxide and for
photochemical oxidants as measured by ozone, and equivalent methods
for sulfur dioxide. A reference method for particulates is published in
40 CFR 50. 40 CFR 60pertains to standards of performance for station-
ary sources, and includes methods for carbon dioxide, particulate emis-
sions, and sulfuric acid mist. 40 CFR 85 refers to mobile sources of
air pollution and sets emission standards for hydrocarbons, carbon mon-
oxides, and nitrogen oxides with testing methods for each. The foregoing
methods were published for specific applications and are not necessarily
valid for other situations. Improvements in senstitivity and ease of use
are being pursued.
Methods exist for most cations and anions of inorganic compounds
in both water and air. For water the detection methods for undissociated
inorganics and cations or anions, where valence state is of concern, are
in very rudimentary stages of development. The situation is similar for
substances in air samples although compounds may be identified by the
very sophisticated method of electronspectroscopy for chemical analy-
sis.
For organic compounds in air, gas chromatographic methods are
applicable. For confirmation of identity, mass spectroscopy and infrared
spectroscopy are utilized. In water, the same techniques are used for
volatile organic compounds and for organic compounds which may be
made volatile by specific chemical reactions. In general nonvolatile
organics are not readily determinable.
Ongoing research is designed to increase the EPA capability to
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isolate, characterize, and quantify chemicals in environmental media
and tissues. Problems relating to sample collection and preservation,
critical to obtaining quantitative data, are being researched. Multi-
chemical (mass spectrometry), multielement (spark source and plasma
emission spectrometry), and multispeciation techniques are being ex-
panded as essential elements of any reasonable approach to the detection
of a broad spectrum of substances in all substrates.
Office of Enforcement and General Counsel
The National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES),
established pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, re-
quires industrial, municipal, and other point source dischargers to ob-
tain permits which limit the discharge of pollutants into navigable wa-
ters. The permits are based on the Effluent Limitations Guidelines and
are issued to thousands of manufacturing companies, including those
producing and using the chemicals on the high volume list. Eventually
the permits program will be administered by the States but the basic
requirements, such as final implementation dates and effluent limits,
are developed by EPA and applied nationwide.
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ACTIVITIES OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES
Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers the safety,
efficacy, and toxicity of ingredients included as components of drugs
(human and veterinary), food and food additives, cosmetics, and pack-
aging for such products. While a complete index of FDA activities related
to the fifty high volume chemicals is not currently available, Appendix
B identifies fourteen chemicals which were involved in food additive
petitions pending before the FDA as of June 30, 1974.
In addition, FDA recently has proposed or is in the process of
preparing three significant regulations concerning high volume chemi-
cals. Effective May 26, 1974, the amount of chlorine and other chemi-
cal components in bottled water is being regulated (38 FR 226). A notice
of proposed rule making that would regulate acrylonitrile as used in the
manufacture of soft drink bottles was issued on November 4, 1974 (39
FR 213). A general restrictive regulation for vinyl chloride is pending.
Department of Transportation
The Department of Transportation is responsible for regulating the
transportation of hazardous materials. This includes requirements for
the preparation for transportation -- construction of containers, pack-
aging, weight or volume marking, and other related factors. The De-
partment currently regulates the following as "hazard" classes: flam-
mable and nonflammable, compressed gases, flammable liquids, flam-
mable solids, oxidizer materials, organic peroxides, poison materials,
etiologic agents, radioactive materials, corrosives, and explosives. Thir-
ty-eight of the fifty high volume chemicals are currently regulated as
hazardous materials.
Due to the hundreds of thousands of commodities shipped, it is gen-
erally not feasible to conduct extensive studies or evaluations on an in-
dividual commodity basis. Research and development studies conducted
by the Department are directed towards a specific hazard class, a cer-
tain size container, or a package or container to meet certain perfor-
mance requirementSc Major projects on specific chemicals are con-
ducted only on an emergency basis, such as an unanticipated incident
occurring during transport.
The Transportation Safety Act of 1974 (P. L. 93-633) more clearly
defines the scope, responsibilities, and enforcement authority of the
Department and is expected to result in significant changes in the regu-
lation and control of hazardous materials.
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Consumer Product Safety Commission
Pursuant to the Federal Hazardous Substances Act and the Poison
Prevention Packaging Act, the Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) has responsibility for regulating a wide range of chemical pro-
ducts intended for household use. Several of the high volume chemicals
are subject to CPSC regulations. Household substances containing ten
percent or more by weight of sulfuric acid (except in wet-cell storage
batteries) are subject to special packaging requirements. Sixteen of the
high volume chemicals are subject to labeling requirements for certain
concentrations and conditions: nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, phenol,
acetic acid, sodium hydroxide, ammonia, methanol, ethylene glycol, so-
dium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium tripolyphosphate, benzene, tol-
uene, xylene, formaldehyde, and acetone. Also, on May 23, 1974, CPSC
banned the use of vinyl chloride as a propellant or component of any
consumer product.
In addition to its regulatory activities, CPSC is supporting re-
search studies to determine the effects of exposure to halogenated hydro-
carbon propellants. A series of monographs on the toxicity and syn-
ergistic effects of chemicals is being proposed to help assess the safety
of future products. Thirty-four product categories have been targets
for possible monographs including flame retardant chemicals, water sof-
teners, cleaning agents, and paints and varnishes.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Forty-three of the high volume chemicals are included on the Toxic
Substances List published in 1974 by the National Institute for Occupa-
tional Safety and Health (NIOSH). The purpose of the List is to identify
"all known toxic substances" and to provide relevant data on the toxic
effects of various levels of exposure to those substances. Substances
are designated as toxic if exposure to or misuse of the substances pro-
duces toxic effects. These effects include acute, carcinogenic, neoplas-
tic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and other adverse effects.
NIOSH has published criteria documents for sulfuric acid, toluene,
ammonia, benzene, and vinyl chloride, and is planning to publish docu-
ments for phenol, chlorine, phosphoric acid, ethylene dichloride, xy-
lene, nitric acid, formaldehyde, and sodium hydroxide. A recent con-
tract with Stanford Research Institute for eighteen new criteria docu-
ments will include documents for methanol, isopropanol, and carbon
dioxide. These criteria documents take into account plant inspections
and critical evaluations of all published literature relevant to the task
of determining the extent of hazard produced by various exposure levels
of a substance. The criteria documents recommend standards of expo-
sure which would minimize toxic effects in an occupational environment.
Validation studies for analytical methods used for sulfuric acid,
10
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chlorine, benzene, ethylene dichloride, vinyl chloride, hydrochloric
acid, carbon dioxide, and isopropanol are being conducted at the NIOSH
laboratory in Cincinnati. The laboratory is working on sampling and
chemical analysis methods which use portable detection and analysis
devices for on-site readings in the plants.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration promulgates
regulations setting standards for the workplace, drawing on the criteria
documents prepared by NIOSH. At present, there are standards for
twenty-seven of the high volume chemicals. Some of these in addition
to vinyl chloride will undoubtedly be considered for revision in the near
future.
National Cancer Institute
As set forth in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) publication,
Survey of Compounds Which Have Been Tested for Carcinogenic Activ-
ity, almo'st one-half of the high volume chemicals were tested for car-
cinogenicity as of 1971. The tests must have been published in the scien-
tific literature to have been included in the survey. All tests involve
animals which were examined for tumors thirty days or more after
initial exposure. Research published in 1972 and 1973 will be included
in Volume 7 of the survey, which should be available soon and perhaps
include more of the high volume chemicals. While this publication is
a useful reference, the research reports are not always critically evalu-
ated before being included and should not be viewed as necessarily au-
thoritative.
NCI also supports publications of the International Agency for Re-
search on Cancer (IARC) which publishes a series entitled IARC Mono-
graphs on the Evaluation of_ Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man.
The monographs summarize the evidence for carcinogenicity of selected
chemicals. A working group of experts invited by the IARC compiles
and evaluates experimental data on the substances. Their evaluation
is then published in a monograph. None of the early monographs con-
siders any of the high volume chemicals; however, future volumes will
address some of them.
Another publication series partially sponsored by NCI and IARC,
Information Bulletins on the Survey of Chemicals Being Tested for Car-
cinogenicity,indicates that four higE volume chemicals are currently
being tested for carcinogenicity: urea, styrene, carbon black, and ti-
tanium dioxide. In addition, tests are planned for two others: sulfuric
acid and formaldehyde. This information is current through May 1974.
The Stanford Research Institute is working on a contract to deter-
11
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mine the levels of exposure of man to various substances. These expo-
sure levels are one of the criteria used by NCI in selecting chemicals
for bioassay studies. At the present time, NCI has about twenty con-
tracts to assess carcinogenicity through tests on rats, mice, and ham-
sters. Four hundred and fifty substances are involved in these bioassay
studies. Three of these are on the list of high volume chemicals; many
others are derivatives of high volume chemicals.
National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences
The National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
is conducting or supporting work on a variety of the fifty high volume
chemicals. In its grants program, NIEHS is examining the biological
effect of seven of the chemicals: benzene, ethylene dichloride, formal-
dehyde, vinyl chloride, phenol, ethanol, and titanium dioxide.
Several high volume chemicals have been tested in the past for
mutagenicity (ethylene oxide, benzene, toluene, vinyl chloride, and pro-
pylene oxide). Also, NIEHS partially supports the Environmental Muta-
gen Information Center at Oak Ridge which maintains a current bibliog-
raphy of all agents that have been tested for mutagenic potential. Addi-
tionally, the Environmental Mutagenesis Branch is developing a con-
tract for mutagenic testing in bacterial systems, and it is probable
that some of the high volume chemicals will be evaluated in this program.
The Pharmacology Branch's research activities with the high volume
chemicals include animal studies on the following: sulfuric acid (in-
halation effects of sulfuric acid mist), oxygen (effects on metabolism,
biosynthesis), sodium hydroxide (inhalation effects), styrene (metabolism
study), aluminum sulfate (toxic effects from aerosols). Benzene, p-
xylene, and phenol are being studied as part of an aerotoxicology re-
search program on solvent toxicity.
The Environmental Toxicology Branch is supporting a study to de-
termine the toxicity of vinyl chloride on different species and to clarify
which common laboratory species is best able to predict human toxi-
city.
National Bureau of Standards
The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) conducts research to im-
prove the accuracy of measurements. Current work is underway to
develop a method to measure formaldehyde in air and to calibrate such
measurements. Other work is concerned with measuring hydrocarbons,
such as benzene, xylene, and butadiene, and derivatives in water at low
levels. A low level chlorine monitoring instrument developed at NBS
is being tested and demonstrated at the Virginia Institute of Marine Sci-
ences.
12
-------
Center for Disease Control
In the toxic substances area, the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
has been primarily concerned with heavy metals, such as lead and mer-
cury; the chlorinated hydrocarbon, mirex; phenols, such as trichloro-
phenol; and other substances not on the high volume list. In the future,
CDC plans to work on some of the listed organic compounds. In addition,
CDC has been involved in various epidemiological studies including a
major effort directed toward vinyl chloride and two involving methyl com-
pounds done in conjunction with NIOSH.
Department of Defense
The activities of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the mil-
itary branches involve various uses of the high volume chemicals- For
example, sodium hydroxide is used in "demilitarization" of toxic chemi-
cals such as nerve gas- Liquid oxygen is used as a rocket propellant.
However, research sponsored by DOD is required by Congress to be
related to a military mission. Thus, few, if any, research activities
are specifically directed towards the listed chemicals.
An inventory of the environmental and related research efforts of
DOD is published annually by the Office of the Director, Defense Re-
search and Engineering, Office of the Secretary of Defense. The latest
reportp "Area Coordinating Paper No» 42, Environmental Quality",
was published in June 1974., Some current projects involve high volume
chemicals. One is designed to develop instrumentation to quantify the
low concentrations of hydrochloric acid found in missile exhaust plumes.
Another deals with the problems of handling and transporting liquid oxy-
gen.
The Department of the Army, Medical Research and Development
Command, currently is supporting research efforts in toxicology, involv-
ing mammalian and aquatic animals. The projects are concerned with
determining the effects of chemicals that find their way into waste waters
from the manufacture of Army ammunition. Most of the chemicals are
not on the high volume list but are munition compounds such as trini-
trotoluene and nitroglycerin.
Other activities sponsored by the Army that may involve high vol-
ume chemicals include research to develop environmentally preferred
alternatives for solvents, paints, and other organic chemical products,
research on sewage treatment systems, development of emission con-
trols for mobile equipment and aircraft, treatment of wastewaters, and
disposal of pesticides.
The Army's Research and Development Office has developed a
computer system for retrieving chemical information, the Chemical In-
13
-------
formation and Data System (CIDS), located at Edgewood Arsenal, Mary-
land. CIDS is not a document retrieval system per se. Rather, it
provides "pointers" to documents by describing their contents in terms
of information descriptors and document identification. The informa-
tion is searched in terms used by chemists, such as chemical formulae
and substructural definitions. Thus, searches can be made not only for
specific compounds, but also for compounds within specified "families"
which contain particular substructures and/or activity groups. There
are now 42, 000 chemicals programmed in the system; information on all
but two of the high volume chemicals may be retrieved directly with
CIDS.
14
-------
APPENDIX A
-------
Appendix A
EPA ACTIVITIES DIRECTED TO HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
Industries Covered by
Effluent Guidelines
Proposed for Designation
as "Hazardous Substance" under
Produce
Sulfuric Acid
Oxygen
Ammonia
Ethylene
Sodium Hydroxide
Chlorine
Nitrogen
Sodium Carbonate
Nitric Acid
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid
Benzene
Projaylene
Ethylene Dichloride
Urea
Methanol
Toluene
E thy Ib en-z ene
Formaldehyde
Styrene
Xylene
Vinyl Chloride
Hydrochloric Acid
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide
Butadiene
Carbon Black
Ethylene Glycol
Sodium Sulfate
Carbon Dioxide
Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid
Calcium Chloride
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol
Acetone
Ethanol
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isopropanol
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride
Titanium Dioxide
Vinyl Aceta'te
Sodium Silicate
Acetaldehyde
Acrylonitrile
or Use Chemical
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
A
A
X
X
X
FWPCA, 311 (b): 39FR164
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
x
.x
X
X
X
X
A
A
A
X
15
-------
Appendix A
EPA ACTIVITIES DIRECTED TO HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
3 4
General Information in Data on Chronic Toxicity
Technical Assistance on Aquatic Life in TADS
Data System (TADS)
Sulfuric Acid
Oxygen
Ammonia
Ethylene
Sodium Hydroxide
Chlorine
Nitrogen
Sodium Carbonate
Nitric Acid
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid
Benzene
Propylene
Ethylene Dichloride
Urea
Methanol
Toluene
Ethylbenzene
Formaldehyde
Styrene
Xylene
Vinyl Chloride
Hydrochloric Acid
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
. X
X
X
X
X
Butadiene
Carbon Black
Ethylene Glycol
Sodium Sulfate
Carbon Dioxide
A
A
X
A
A
-A
Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid
Calcium Chloride
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol
Acetone
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Ethanol
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isopropanol
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride
Titanium Dioxide
Vinyl Acetate
Sodium Silicate
Acetaldehyde
Acrylonitrile
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
16
-------
Appendix A
EPA ACTIVITIES DIRECTED TO HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
5 6
Ocean Disposal Under Study by
Office
(a)
prohibited
Sulfuric Acid
Oxygen
Ammonia
Ethylene
Sodium Jlydroxide
Chlorine
Nitrogen
Sodium Carbonate
Nitric Acid
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid
Benzene
Propylene
(b)
strictly regulated
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
of Toxic Substances
X
Ethylene Dichloride X
Urea
Methanol
Toluene
Ethylbenzene
Formaldehyde
Styrene
Xylene
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Vinyl Chloride X
Hydrochloric Acid
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide
Butadiene
Carbon Black
Ethylene Glycol
Sodium Sulfate
Carbon Dioxide
Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid
Calcium Chloride
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol
Acetone
Ethanol
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isopropanol
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride
Titanium Dioxide
Vinyl Acetate
Sodium Silicate
Acetaldehyde
Acrylonitrile
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
17
-------
EPA ACTIVITIES DIRECTED TO HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
Appendix A
Used in Registered
Pesticides
8
May Be Regulated
under Air Standard for
Nonmethane Hydrocarbons
Sulfuric Acid
X
Oxygen
Ammonia
Ethylene
Sodium Hydroxide
Chlorine
X
X
X
X
Nitrogen
Sodium Carbonate
X
Nitric Acid
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid
Benzene
Propylene
Ethylene Diehloride
X
X
X
X
X
X
Urea
Methanol
Toluene
Ethylbenzene
Formaldehyde
Styrene
Xylene
Vinyl Chloride
Hydrochloric Acid
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide
Butadiene
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Carbon Black
Ethylene Glycol
X
Sodium Sulfate
Carbon Dioxide
Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene
X
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid
Calcium Chloride
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene
X
X
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol
Acetone
Ethanol
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isopropanol
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Titanium Dioxide
Vinyl Acetate
A
Sodium Silicate
Acetaldehyde
Acrylonitrile
X
A
X
18
-------
Appendix A
EPA ACTIVITIES DIRECTED TO HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
9 10
Included in Survey Included In Hazardous
Reports on Air Emissions from Waste Disposal Studies
Petrochemical Industry
Sulfuric Acid
Oxygen X
Ammonia '
Ethylene X X
Sodium Hydroxide
Chlorine X '
Nitrogen X
Sodium Carbonate
Nitric Acid
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid .
Benzene _£ •
Propylene X
Ethylene Dichloride X .. . .
Urea X
Methanol X
Toluene
Ethylbenzene • ; .-. • ••. •
Formaldehyde X
Styrene X X _
Xylene ; ; X
Vinyl Chloride X '
Hydrochloric Acid X.
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide x x
Butadiene . x
Carbon Black X
Ethylene Glycol • ; X • /
Sodium Sulfate X
Carbon Dioxide ~ '
Dimethyl Terephthalate \ __ .
Cumene
Terephthalic Acid X
Acetic Acid X
Calcium Chloride X
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene •
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol x ;X
Acetone x
Ethanol x
Sodium Tripolyphosphate .
Isopropanol
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride
Titanium Dioxide ^_
Vinyl Acetate X
Sodium Silicate ; X
Ac e.t aldehyde X X
Acrylonitrile X
19
-------
Appendix A
EPA ACTIVITIES DIRECTED TO HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
11 12
Research on Toxic Effects Research on Waste
on Aquatic Life Treatment and Disposal
Sulfuric Acid X
Oxygen X _
Ammonia _ X X.
Ethylene
Sodium Hydroxide •'
Chlorine X
Nitrogen X
Sodium Carbonate •
Nitric Acid . ' X '
Ammonium Nitrate X
Phosphoric Acid __
Benzene
Propylene
Ethylene Dichloride x
Urea \ x
Methanol
Toluene
Ethylben-zene
Formaldehyde X
Styrene . . X
Xylene
Vinyl Chloride X
Hydrochloric Acid X
Ammonium Sulfate X
Ethylene Oxide X
Butadiene
Carbon Black •
Ethylene Glycol A X
Sodium Sulfate
Carbon Dioxide =____=_=_
Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid (proposed)
Calcium Chloride
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol X
Acetone X
Ethanol
Sodium Tripolyphosphate •
Isopropanol
Propylene Oxide X
Acetic Anhydride ,
Titanium Dioxide X
Vinyl Acetate
Sodium Silicate
Acetaldehyde
Acrylonitrile X. (proposed)
20
-------
Appendix A
EPA ACTIVITIES DIRECTED TO HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
13
Chemical or Ionic
Components Can be Identified
in Water
Sulfuric Acid
Oxygen
Ammonia
Ethylene
Sodium Hydroxide
Chlorine
Nitrogen
Sodium Carbonate
Nitric Acid
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid
Benzene
Propylene
Ethylene Dichloride
Urea
Methanol
Toluene
Ethylbenzene
Formaldehyde
Styrene
Xylene
Vinyl Chloride
Hydrochloric Acid
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide
Butadiene
Carbo'n Black
Ethylene Glycol
Sodium Sulfate
Carbon Dioxide
Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid
Calcium Chloride
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol
Acetone
Ethanol
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isopropanol
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride
Titanium Dioxide
Vinyl Acetate
Sodium Silicate
Acetaldehyde
Acrylonitrile
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
JC
14
Chemical or Ionic Components
Can be Identified in Air
by Gas Chromatographv (GC)
or Other Methods (X)
X
X
X
GC
X
X
GC
X
X
X
X
GC
GC
GC
X
GC
GC
GC
GC
GC
GC
GC
X
X
GC
GC
X
GC
X
GC
GC
GC
GC
GC
X
GC
GC
X
GC
GC
GC
X
GC
GC
GC
X
GC
X
GC
GC
21
-------
APPENDIX B
-------
Appendix B
ACTIVITIES OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES DIRECTED TO
HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
15 16
Pending FDA Approval Considered "Hazardous
as of 6/30/74 Material" by DOT
40 CFR/170-180
Sulfuric Acid
. Oxygen
Ammonia
Ethylene
Sodium Hydroxide
Chlorine
Nitrogen
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Sodium Carbonate . . ...
Nitric Acid
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid
Benzene
Propylene
Ethylene Dichloride
Urea
Methanol
Toluene
Ethylben-zene
Formaldehyde
Styrene
Xylene
Vinyl Chloride
Hydrochloric Acid
X
X
A
A
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
A
. X
A
A
A
A
X
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide
Butadiene
Carbo'n Black
Ethylene Glycol
Sodium Sulfate
Carbon Dioxide
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene
X
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid
X
Calcium Chloride
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene
X
X
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol
Acetone
Ethanol
X
X
X
X
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isopropanol
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride
X
A
A
Titanium Dioxide
Vinyl Acetate
X
X
Sodium Silicate
Acetaldehyde
Acrylonitrile
X
X
X
23
-------
Appendix B
ACTIVITIES OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES DIRECTED TO
HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
17 18
Regulated by CPSC NIOSH Toxic Substances List
Sulfuric Acid
X
X
Oxygen
Ammonia
X
X
Ethylene
Sodium Hydroxide
Chlorine
X
X
X
Nitrogen
Sodium Carbonate
Nitric Acid
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid
Benzene
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Propylene
Ethylene Dichloride
X
Urea
Methanol
Toluene
E thy Ib en-z ene
Formaldehyde
Styrene
Xylene
Vinyl Chloride
Hydrochloric Acid
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide
Butadiene
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Carbon Black
Ethylene Glycol
Sodium Sulfate
X
X
X
Carbon Dioxide
Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid
Calcium Chloride
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol
Acetone
Ethanol
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isqpropanol
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride
Titanium Dioxide
Vinyl Acetate
Sodium Silicate
Ac et aldehyde
Acrylonitrile
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
24
-------
ACTIVITIES ..OF .OTHER FEDERAL,. .AGENCIES.
HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
19
NIOSH Criteria Document:
(a) completed; (b) in preparation;
(c) position on priority list
fa^ (b) (c)
Sulfuric Acid x
15
Appendix B
DIRECTED TO.
20
Included in NCI
Publication of
Carcinogenicity Tests as
of 1971
X
Oxygen
Ammonia X
Ethylene
Sodium Hydroxide X
Chlorine X
Nitrogen
19
325
27
76
291
X
X
Sodium Carbonate
Nitric Acid X
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid X
Benzene X
38
144
100
1
X
X
Propylene
Ethylene Bichloride X
Urea
Methanol X
Toluene X
Ethylben-zene
Formaldehyde X
Styrene
Xylene X
Vinyl Chloride X
Hydrochloric Acid
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide
Butadiene
Carbofn Black
103
32
44
378
177
134
62
206
165
451
466
111
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Ethylene Glycol
Sodium Sulfate
Carbon Dioxide x
16
Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene
281
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid
Calcium Chloride
Cyclohexane
p-Xylene
82
454
62
X
X
X
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol x
Acetone
Ethanol
123
6
142
X
X
X
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isopropanol X
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride
Titanium Dioxide
Vinyl Acetate
28
204
181
205
127
X
Sodium Silicate
Ac et aldehyde
Acrylonitrile
427
94
X
25
-------
Appendix B
ACTIVITIES OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES DIRECTED TO
HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
21 22
Being Tested for Carcinogenicity NIEHS Health
as of 5/74 (NCI) Effects Activities
Sulfuric Acid tests planned X
Oxygen X_
A.rrmionia \
Ethylene tests planned
Sodium Hydroxide X_
Chlorine
Nitrogen
Sodium Carbonate .
Nitric Acid
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid
Benzene X
Propylene tests planned
Ethylene Bichloride X x
Urea X
Methanol x
Toluene X jt_
Ethylben-zene . - •
Formaldehyde tests planned X_
Styrene X X
Xylene
Vinyl Chloride __=__ X
Hydrochloric Acid
Ammonium Sulfate . „
Ethylene Oxide tests planned X
Butadiene tests planned
Carbo'n Black X
Ethylene Glycol
Sodium Sulfate
Carbon Dioxide ' ^ = .
Dimethyl Terephthalate tests planned
Cumene
Terephthalic Acid .
Acetic Acid
Calcium Chloride ;
Cyclohexane X
p-Xylene ; 3f_
Aluminum Sulfate •
Phenol teats.. Planned X_
Acetone _X _____
Ethanol X X_
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isopropanol
Propylene Oxide tests planned X_
Acetic Anhydride
Titanium Dioxide X X_
Vinyl Acetate
Sodium Silicate
Acetaldehyde •
Acrylonitrile testa planr.0j
26
-------
Appendix B
ACTIVITIES OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES DIRECTED TO
HIGH VOLUME CHEMICALS
23
Included in DOD
Chemical Information Data System
Sulfuric Acid
Oxygen
Ammonia
Ethylene
Sodium Hydroxide
Chlorine
Nitrogen
Sodium Carbonate
Nitric Acid
Ammonium Nitrate
Phosphoric Acid .
Benzene
Propylene
Ethylene Dichloride
Urea
Methanol
Toluene
Ethylben-zene
Formaldehyde
Styrene
Xylene
Vinyl Chloride
Hydrochloric Acid
Ammonium Sulfate
Ethylene Oxide
Butadiene
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X ...
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Carbon Black
Ethylene Glycol
Sodium Sulfate
Carbon Dioxide
Dimethyl Terephthalate
Cumene
Terephthalic Acid
Acetic Acid
Calcium Chloride
Cycl ohexane
p-Xylene
Aluminum Sulfate
Phenol
Acetone
Ethanol
Sodium Tripolyphosphate
Isopropanol
Propylene Oxide
Acetic Anhydride
Titanium Dioxide
Vinyl Acetate
X
X
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
x
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Sodium Silicate
Acetaldehyde
Acrylonitrile
X
X
27
-------
APPENDIX C
-------
Appendix C
EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS GUIDELINES
Almost all of the industrial categories for which Effluent Limitations
Guidelines have been promulgated involve one or more of the high volume
chemicals. The chemical industries listed below either use or produce
a significant number and/or quantity of these chemicals.
-- Organic Chemicals Manufacturing Point Source Category
Final regulations published 4/25/74, effective 5/13/74
39 FR 81, Part II
Development document: EPA 440/ 1474-009-a
Ethylene, propylene, ethylene dichloride, methanol, ethylben-
zene, formaldehyde, styrene, vinyl chloride, ethylene oxide, bu-
tadiene, ethylene glycol, dimethyl terephthalate, terephthalic
acid, acetic acid, cyclohexane, phenol, acetone, vinyl acetate,
acetaldehyde.
-- Inorganic Chemicals Manufacturing Point Source Category
Final regulations published 3/12/74, effective 5/13/74
39 FR 49, Part II
Development document: EPA 440/1-74-007-a
Sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, chlorine, sodium carbonate,
nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium sulfate, calcium chloride,
aluminum sulfate, titanium dioxide, sodium silicate.
-- Plastics and Synthetics Point Source Category
Final regulations published 4/5/74, effective 6/4/74
39 FR 67, Part II
Development document: EPA 440/1 -74-010-a
Styrene, butadiene, acrylonitrile.
-- Fertilizer Manufacturing Point Source Category
Final regulations published 4/8/74, effective 6/7/74
39 FR 68, Part III
Development document: EPA 440/ 1-74-001 -b
Sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, urea, ammonium
nitrate, ammonia.
-- Soap and Detergent Manufacturing Point Source Category
Final regulations published 4/12/74, effective 6/11/74
39 FR 72, Part II
Development Document: EPA 440/1-74-018-a
Sodium hydroxide, sodium tripolyphosphate, methanol, sulfuric
acid, urea, ethanol, phenol.
29
-------
Rubber Processing Point Source Category
Final regulations published 2/21/74, effective 4/22/74
39 FR 36, Part II
Development document: EPA 440/1-74-013-a
Carbon black, styrene, butadiene, acrylonitrile, ethylene, pro-
pylene, sodium hydroxide.
Phosphate Manufacturing Point Source Category
Final regulations published 2/20/74, effective 4/22/74
39 FR 35, Part II
Development document: EPA 440/ 1-74-006-a
Phosphoric acid, sodium tripolyphosphate.
30
-------
APPENDIX D
-------
Appendix D
HIGH VOLUME PLASTICS
While the focus of this Report has been on the high volume chemicals,
closely related Federal research and regulatory efforts have been direct-
ed toward the high volume plastics, including the following:
1973 Production (Billions of Pounds)
Thermo setting resins
EpoxLes (unmodified) 0.22
Polyesters (unsaturated) 1.05
Urea resins 0.87
Melamine resins 0.17
Phenolic and other tar acid resins 1. 39
Thermoplastic resins
Polyethylene
Low-density 5.80
High-density 2.64
Polypropylene and copolymers 2.16
Styrene and copolymers 5.02
Polyvinyl chloride and copolymers 4.56
TOTAL 23.88*
In addition to the hazardous waste assessment project discussed in
the main body of this Report, the EPA Office of Solid Waste Manage-
ment Programs is supporting efforts to predict the potential problem
areas related to the production, use, and disposal of plastics through
1980 including all of the high volume plastics. A directly related study
of plasticizers is being considered. In addition, some of the major
completed studies are:
"incineration of Plastics Found in Municipal Waters", Syracuse,
University, August 28, 1972, EC-00304 (EPA).
"The Beverage Container Problem: Analysis and Recommendations",
September 1972, R2-72-059 (EPA).
"Disposal of Polymers Solid Waste by Primary Polymer Producers
and Plastics Fabricators", 1972, SW-34c (EPA).
"Corrosion Studies in Municipal Incinerators", 1972, SW-72-3-3
(EPA).
"Environmental Aspects of Plastics Waste Industries", George L.
Hoffman, June, 1972 (EPA).
"New Chemical Concepts for Utilization of Waste Plastics", 1971,
SW-16c (EPA).
*Reprinted with permission from Chemical and Engineering News (Vol. 52,
No. 18, p. 12, 5/6/74). Copyright by the American Chemical Society.
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